3. Though in these two words (Imperial, Ministerial) they may seem to advance Christ above the Pope, yet in their own interpretation of these words they make the Pope equal 1to Christ, if not advance him above Christ. For they say that Christ is an imperial head to quicken the Church inwardly: and the Pope a ministerial head to govern it outwardly. First let it be noted, how little congruity this exposition hath with the words expounded. Doth this word (imperial) intimate a quickening virtue? Doth this word (ministerial) imply a governing power? Nay, is there not great incongruity in this, that Christ should be the Imperial head, and yet the Pope an head to govern? Besides, doth not this rend asunder two of Christs offices, and leaving one to Christ, give another to the ⟨p. 34⟩Pope, and so make him equal with Christ? If the particular branches of this government which is given by papists unto the Pope by virtue of his headship be observed, we shall find that to be verified in him, which the Apostle hath foretold concerning Antichrist, that as God he sitteth in the temple of 2God, showing himself that he is God. For they give to him the keys of heaven and hell, to shut or open the one or other as 3pleaseth him: they give him power to dispense with Gods laws, to coin articles of faith, to make laws to bind mens consciences directly and immediately, to give pardon for sin, to free subjects from allegiance to their Sovereigns, to canonize Saints, and what not? But to let these impious blasphemies pass, beside that this prerogative of Christ (to be head of 4the Church) is incommunicable (for thereby the Apostle proveth Christ to be advanced far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name, &c.) Christ needeth not for the execution of his office therein any Vicar, or Deputy: for as head he filleth all in all things: and by his eternal spirit is he in heaven, earth, and every place where any of his members are, according to his *promises made unto his Church.
3. Though in these two words (Imperiall, Ministeriall) they may seeme to aduance Christ aboue the Pope, yet in their owne interpretation of these words they make the Pope equall 1to Christ, if not aduance him aboue Christ. For they say that Christ is an imperiall head to quicken the Church inwardly: and the Pope a ministeriall head to gouerne it outwardly. First let it be noted, how little congruitie this exposition hath with the words expounded. Doth this word (imperiall) intimate a quickning vertue? Doth this word (ministeriall) implie a gouerning power? Nay, is there not great incongruitie in this, that Christ should be the Imperiall head, and yet the Pope an head to gouerne? Besides, doth not this rend asunder two of Christs offices, and leauing one to Christ, giue another to the ⟨p. 34⟩Pope, and so make him equall with Christ? If the particular branches of this gouernment which is giuen by papists vnto the Pope by vertue of his headship be obserued, we shall finde that to be verified in him, which the Apostle hath foretold concerning Antichrist, that as God he sitteth in the temple of 2God, shewing himselfe that he is God. For they giue to him the keyes of heauen and hell, to shut or open the one or other as 3pleaseth him: they giue him power to dispense with Gods lawes, to coine articles of faith, to make lawes to binde mens consciences directly and immediatly, to giue pardon for sinne, to free subiects from allegeance to their Soueraignes, to canonize Saints, and what not? But to let these impious blaspliemies passe, beside that this prerogatiue of Christ (to be head of 4the Church) is incommunicable (for thereby the Apostle proueth Christ to be aduanced farre aboue all principalitie, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name, &c.) Christ needeth not for the execution of his office therein any Vicar, or Deputie: for as head he filleth all in all things: and by his eternall spirit is he in heauen, earth, and euery place where any of his members are, according to his *promises made vnto his Church.
- 1Staplet. lib. 6. cap. 16. de princip. doct.
- 22 Thess. 2. 4.
- 3In Decretal.
- 4Eph. 1. 21, 22, 23
- *Mat. 18. 20. & 28. 20.
